MEAL Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Contextual Background

• The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations.
• IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State.
• Currently, IRC Nigeria implements primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, governance, education, and Economic Recovery and Development programs.
• The position holder has the role of supervising MEAL Officers.  As a result, s/he is primarily responsible for building MEAL staff capacity through organizing trainings, mentoring, coaching and supervision.  Together with the Senior MEAL Manager, S/he technically supports IRC Nigeria to meet standards set out in the Strategic Action Plan (STRATEGY100), Client responsiveness objectives and IRC’s MEAL and IMPACT handbook for improving monitoring practice and use of data for decision making within the organization.

Job Overview / Summary

• The MEAL Manager position reports to the Senior MEAL Manager. This position is responsible for leading all MEAL related assignments and management of the IRC MEAL team in Borno state.
• The position supports the development and implementation of the programs monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategy to ensure quality, timely, and accurate information in support of the implementation of sectors activities.
• This position will support the review of proposals to ensure that core sector MEAL activities are adequately captured, as well as ensure project logframes are well designed in line with the IRC measurement standards.

Major Responsibilities
Leadership and Partnership:

• Manage all technical aspects and actions of M&E/MEAL regarding the [Technical Area(s)] program; respond to program needs; foster high standards and practices for quality data, analysis, and reports. Enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors;
• Improve M&E/MEAL systems and approaches and foster learning;
• Represent IRC at technical meetings, forums, and other events & build partnership within IRC and other areas of expertise;
• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making;
• Collaborate with M&E/MEAL teams within and outside IRC to support harmonization of M&E/MEAL systems and approaches, sharing capacity and experiences. 

Technical Oversight:
Lead the M&E/MEAL system and processes for the [Technical Area(s)] program in harmony with the M&E/MEAL Country and Global Strategy throughout the project cycle which include:

• Use learning, evidence, and data from previous projects to inform project proposal design;
• Develop logical frameworks, M&E/MEAL plans, digital data collection tools, processes for online data management;
• Establish and ensure timely data flow, quality checks, and audits, and updating of data visualization;
• Supervise M&E/MEAL field activities;
• Undertake regular analysis of monitoring data and work closely with program coordinators and managers to facilitate decision-making for real-time program adaptation;
• Produce quality reports and updating dashboards with key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in project cycle management meetings and team meetings;
• Identify, detail, and share lessons learned to improve services and results for our clients. 
• Engage in the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and end line, and the commission of evaluations in coordination with colleagues and partners;
• Advocate for and support the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization;
• Join and contribute to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources:

• Coordinate, lead, mentor and support a dynamic small to medium team of M&E/MEAL staff; foster timely and high-quality achievement, and an inclusive and respectful team climate;
• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners in M&E/MEAL: Lead and craft high-quality technical training and learning materials for partners, colleagues, and junior staff;
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of country M&E/MEAL officers, assistants, and (if relevant) external consultants

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, statistics, Project Management or any other relevant discipline.
• A Master’s Degree in any field is an added advantage
• 4 - 5 years of consistent, proven, and successful experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning – specific experience in feedback management will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated understanding or project management in a similar role/with similar responsibilities in a multi sectoral and multi donor environment
• Strong team management experience with sound capacities to work in a diversified team
• Willingness to work under pressure and stressful situations with minimal supervision and without compromising deadlines or quality
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Self-motivated with good organization, planning skills, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking
• Good communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel to field sites under demanding conditions

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 
• Competencies with mobile data collection such as Kobo, Commcare, ODK Collect is vital as well as proficiency with SPSS, STATA or other similar software. Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi, or GIS software tools are additional assets

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English, local languages are an added advantage.

Ability to Travel:

• 20% to 40% of time.